Top Ten Tips for Living with a Senior Dog

Keep up with vaccinations. Your dog may not spend as much time outdoors as he once did, but it only takes one rabid squirrel in your yard to cause a problem if your dog is not properly vaccinated. Other diseases can live for a very long time as spores in animal feces. It’s just not worth the risk. Vaccinate according to the schedule your vet recommends to guard against the risks prevalent in your area of the country.

Daily walks are a good treatment for arthritis. Just like with humans, dogs are prone to get arthritis as they age. And just like us, they may be reluctant to walk due to joint pain. However, walking is the best thing for them. Exercise strengthens the muscles and tendons surrounding the joints, meaning that less pressure is put on the bones where the pain originates. Manage pain with buffered aspirin and rebuild shock-absorbing cartilage with glucosamine chondroitin, but above all, keep walking!

Keep up with vaccinations. Your dog may not spend as much time outdoors as he once did, but it only takes one rabid squirrel in your yard to cause a problem if your dog is not properly vaccinated. Other diseases can live for a very long time as spores in animal feces. It’s just not worth the risk. Vaccinate according to the schedule your vet recommends to guard against the risks prevalent in your area of the country.

Consider buying an orthopedic dog bed. These beds provide cushioned support for sore joints and protect the dog from cold floors that can aggravate arthritis.

Visit the vet regularly. The diseases of old age sneak up on our dogs. You don’t just wake up one morning with heart failure; it’s a gradual process. Regular vet visits can find problems while they are still minor, which allows you to control their symptoms or even cure the problem before it becomes unmanageable.

Take a look at your dog’s teeth. A build-up of tartar over the years may be causing tooth decay and pain. Professional dental care may be needed to allow your dog to keep as many of his teeth as possible and to be able to chew without pain. Bones and chews made especially for cleaning your dog’s teeth may also help.

Cut back on treats. Those extra few treats a day may not result in extra weight when your dog is young and active. But as he ages, he will likely become more sedentary. A few extra pounds is all it takes to make him not want to move much, which in turn causes more weight gain. It’s a vicious circle, and even a little bit of extra weight will make arthritis both more likely and more painful.

Watch for excessive weight loss. If your dog loses weight quickly, it may be a sign of an illness like cancer or a problem with his gastro-intestinal tract. If you are feeding the same amount and your dog is losing weight, or if your dog is refusing to eat, a vet visit is in order.

Ask your vet if a special diet is in order. Fatty acid supplements such as DHA and EPA might help ease arthritis pain, and special diets may be helpful for dogs with heart or kidney diseases.

Don’t forget to keep his mind nimble. It may seem like your senior dog sleeps all of the time, since he is likely resting more than he did as a puppy, but there is still a benefit to keeping the dog’s mind occupied. Although older dogs don’t typically destroy your house when they are bored, they still need a way to while away their days. Use puzzle toys to make your dog think before getting a treat.